How well do you know your music? Let’s find out with a quiz that accompanies this week playlist.
The subjects du jour are : John Mayer, Lady Gaga, Ja, Wyclef Jean, Macy Gray, R.E.M., Cat Power, Katie Melua, Michael Buble, Adele, Mariah Carey, U2, Green day
They are the ‘2000s Throwback’ artists selected among the 326 Posts we publish this week.
1. What is the primary theme of John Mayer’s song “Vultures”?
- A Fame and the entertainment industry
- B Perseverance and confidence
- C Loneliness and isolation
2. How did the Jingle Bell Ball performance of “Bad Romance” in 2009 stand out?
- A It debuted the original music video
- B It highlighted Lady Gaga’s theatrical stage presence
- C It featured a hologram of Gaga
3. Which event inspired Jay-Z’s lyrics in “99 Problems”?
- A An incident with police in 1994
- B A drug-related court case
- C A subway ride in Brooklyn
4. Who collaborated with Wyclef Jean on the track \”Fast Car\”?
- A Tracy Chapman
- B Paul Simon
- C Bob Dylan
5. What notable characteristic does Macy Gray’s song \”Sexual Revolution\” have?
- A A gospel choir
- B Disco-pop vibe
- C Heavy metal influence
6. Which medium inspired the title of R.E.M.’s song “Imitation of Life”?
- A A 1959 film
- B A comic book
- C A radio show
7. What unique aspect of live performances of Cat Power’s “Willie” is noted?
- A Acoustic-only renditions
- B Extended live versions
- C Crowd sing-alongs
8. What sparked the writing of Katie Melua’s “Nine Million Bicycles”?
- A A bicycle race
- B A fact about Beijing
- C A love of cycling
9. Where was Michael Bublé’s live performance of *Crazy Love* on December 9, 2009?
- A Sydney Opera House
- B Festspielhaus Baden-Baden
- C Royal Albert Hall
10. During which radio session did Adele perform “Chasing Pavements” in 2007?
- A BBC Radio 2 Maida Vale
- B NPR Tiny Desk
- C Live Lounge
11. On which album does Mariah Carey’s cover of “Bringin’ On the Heartbreak” appear?
- A Rainbow
- B Charmbracelet
- C Butterfly
12. What made U2’s performance in Honolulu on December 9, 2006 unique?
- A It featured a virtual reality experience
- B It included collaborations with other rock bands
- C It was a farewell concert
Tracklist
1 . John Mayer . Vultures |
2 . Lady Gaga . Bad Romance |
3 . Jay-Z . 99 Problems |
4 . Wyclef Jean . Fast Car (w/ Paul Simon)Wyclef Jean releases his sixth album . ‘Carnival Vol. II: Memoirs of an Immigrant’ (2007) |
5 . Macy Gray . Sexual RevolutionOn TV today . Macy Gray at ‘TOTP’ (2001) |
6 . R.E.M. . Imitation Of Life |
7 . Cat Power . Willie |
8 . Katie Melua . Nine Million BicyclesOn Swiss radio today . Katie Melua at DSR3 (2008) |
9 . Michael Buble . Crazy LoveOn TV today . Michael Buble in Baden-Baden (2009) |
10 . Adele . Chasing PavementsOn English radio today . Adele on BBC Radio . (2007) |
11 . Mariah Carey . Bringin’ On The HeartbreakMariah Carey releases her ninth album . ‘Charmbracelet’ (2002) |
12 . U2, Green Day . The Saints Are Coming |
And the correct answers (in case you missed one or two) are:
1. John Mayer’s “Vultures” isn’t just about dealing with the pitfalls of fame. It’s fundamentally a tale of perseverance and maintaining confidence amidst external pressures.
2. Lady Gaga’s 2009 Jingle Bell Ball performance of “Bad Romance” showcased her theatrical stage presence, further establishing her status as a pop icon.
3. Jay-Z’s “99 Problems” reflects on a specific incident from 1994 involving police harassment, drawing on his personal experiences.
4. Paul Simon lent his legendary songwriting and vocal talents to Wyclef Jean’s track “Fast Car,” making for an unexpected collaboration.
5. Macy Gray’s “Sexual Revolution” embraces a disco-pop vibe, marking it as a lively pro-sexuality anthem.
6. R.E.M. took inspiration from a 1959 film for the title “Imitation of Life,” showing their appreciation for vintage cinema.
7. Cat Power’s song “Willie” offers extended live versions, giving fans something extra during her Jukebox tour performances.
8. Katie Melua was inspired by the mention of Beijing’s nine million bicycles during a visit, leading to the song “Nine Million Bicycles.”
9. Festspielhaus Baden-Baden hosted Michael Bublé’s live rendition of *Crazy Love*, aligning with his swing and jazz-infused style.
10. BBC Radio 2’s Maida Vale session in 2007 featured Adele performing “Chasing Pavements,” marking an early radio broadcast in her career.
11. Mariah Carey included a rock-infused cover of “Bringin’ On the Heartbreak” on her album *Charmbracelet*, marking a distinctive departure from her usual style.
12. U2’s gig in Honolulu in 2006 stood out with collaborations, including members from Green Day and Pearl Jam, adding to a memorable live experience.
For THE FULL 2000s THROWBACKS COLLECTION click here
